Recovery From Third Degree Heart Failure

Third-degree heart failure is sometimes used to describe a serious impairment of the heart's electrical system called third-degree heart block. This condition is triggered by a number of potential causes, including heart disease, heart attack, surgical complications and toxic drug reactions. Recovery from third-degree heart block varies with the underlying source of the electrical malfunction.

Understanding Heart Block

• Heart block is a disruption in the timing of the electrical impulses that create a normal heartbeat. Minor disruption of these signals, which pass from the top of the heart to the main chambers below, results in the condition known as first-degree heart block. More significant disruption results in second-degree heart block. Complete blockage of the signals from the upper heart is the defining characteristic of third-degree heart block.

Recovery from Short-term Conditions

• If you experience third-degree heart block, you are in danger of cardiac arrest. To prevent this possibility, you will be fitted with a pacemaker as soon as possible. If cardiac arrest is an immediate concern, you may receive a temporary pacemaker until a more permanent procedure can be performed.

  However, recovery from third-degree heart block does not necessarily require long-term pacemaker use. If your condition is the result of a drug reaction, stopping or lowering the dosage of the suspect medication may reverse any problems.

  Similarly, if your condition stems from surgery or a heart attack, it is possible that your symptoms will resolve in time. Recovery in these circumstances typically involves stabilization of heart rhythm until resolution occurs.

Long-term Recovery and Adjustment

• However, if you are suffering from heart disease or chronic heart failure, you will likely need a permanent pacemaker to avoid future heart irregularities. Once a pacemaker is implanted, you will need time to recover from the implantation procedure. Afterward, you will need to follow certain guidelines to ensure that your device keeps working properly.

  Electrical devices of any kind may disrupt your pacemaker, as might any device with a strong magnetic field. Learn to identify any potential source of problems and avoid close or extended contact. A number of common medical procedures also involve the use of potentially harmful devices, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, shockwave procedures to destroy kidney stones, and surgical electrocauterization (electrical sealing of a source of blood loss).

  If you fly on an airplane, let security officials know you have a pacemaker. Also inform your dentist or anyone else you see for medical treatment.

  Typically, having a pacemaker does not limit your physical activity. If your doctor approves you for activity based on your overall state of health, you may engage in any form of exercise except for contact sports in which your pacemaker can be directly damaged.

  Your doctor will need to check your pacemaker's function periodically. Depending on his preferences and your pacemaker model, you may be examined in an office or give verbal confirmation of your device's condition by phone. Consult your doctor for details on what to expect during long-term pacemaker use.